High gas prices, low temperatures not deterring campers in Sask. parks

Camping season is officially underway in Saskatchewan with the May long weekend finally here.

The season might get off to a bit of a slow start, though.

“For May long, compared to last year, reservations are down. I think that is likely due to the weather we’ve seen across the province,” Robin Campese of Saskatchewan Parks said Friday.

“(But) we were curious to see what this season would bring and it’s looking very strong overall. It’s great for Saskatchewan people.”

While bookings are down for the May long weekend this year, Campese added every campground in the province will have a place available for people to camp in the next few days.

“Our busiest parks this weekend will be Echo Valley, Buffalo Pound and Rowan’s (Ravine Provincial Park),” she said. “They have the most reservations, but all parks have availability this weekend.”

A colder long weekend of camping is nothing to Jerad Bowes after the long winter we’ve had.

The Saskatoon resident has had the great outdoors on his mind since the snow first hit.

“It’s been a really weird and fun winter and I’ve just been eager,” Bowes said.

So eager, in fact, that Bowes and his friends are tenting this weekend.

But Bowes said they plan to make the most of it. Their itinerary includes spending time around the fire with their guitars, painting and playing board games.

Bowes also has a trick to stay warm.

“I’ve been cold in my tent enough times to know what I want to bring now,” he said with a chuckle.

In addition to packing longjohns and extra sweaters, Bowes will put a hot water bottle in his bed before turning in for the night.

While some thought gas prices might kept people away from campgrounds this year, Campese says there’s lots of interest from people who still want to camp.

“Reservations overall for Sask. Parks for the entire season are on par with last year — and last year was record-breaking (for) visitation,” Campese said. “It’s looking really strong for the season.”

One thing campers throughout the province won’t have to worry about this weekend is fire bans.

“We don’t have any fire bans or restrictions in place at this time,” Campese said. “We don’t have to worry about that right now, but you can never know for sure as the season progresses.”

Although there will be lots of people camping this weekend, Campese says May long isn’t the busiest weekend for Sask. Parks. The opening of the Cypress Hills campground in July will be big for the provincial park system.

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Libby Giesbrecht